Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) may challenge Brian Norman Jr. for the WBO welterweight title next if Teo wins tonight against Steve Claggett in their headliner on ESPN.
This could be a sink or swim battle for Teofimo against the young 23-year-old Norman, who looks like he could be a star in the making. If Teofimo fails, Top Rank could cut their roster and build Brian Norman into the next welterweight star. It is a good way for Bob Arum to see if Teofimo is worth keeping, because the way he is doing now, he has a lot of weight in the company.
Bob Arum's Teofimo plans
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says he wants Teofimo to move up to face Brian Norman Jr. undefeated (26-0, 23 KOs), coming off a tenth round decision over undefeated Giovani Santillan on May 18 in San Diego, California. If Teofimo wins the fight, he can become a three-division world champion.
Hopefully, this isn't a fight where Top Rank has to drag Teofimo into the ring, kicking and screaming, out of reluctance to face the dangerous puncher Brian Norman Jr. Teofimo has had some good things going on lately, along with Top Rank. with him carefully, yet he is still struggling.
Teofimo's Reluctance to Face Top Talent
Some feel that Teofimo has been washed up and is supported only because of the careful manipulation of the players of the game of High Positions. Norman Jr. he could be a nightmare for Teofimo if he's a shell of the fighter he was four years ago when he pulled off an upset against the injured Vasily Lomachenko in 2020.
It is not clear whether Teofimo will follow the plan to fight Norman Jr. 23 years old because he is not a big name. He just decided to challenge Jaron 'Boots' Ennis for his IBF 147-lb title because he doesn't have a star player. However, Top Rank cannot protect Teofimo forever by matching him against lower-ranked opposition like Steve Claggett. Teofimo should be able to hold his own in a cut-throat contest, and if he can't do that, he has no use for Arum.
If Teofimo can't handle the throw the general public, the higher level should consider moving from him. They can't keep Teofimo in the current defensive position where he is isolated from competent opposition because his popularity continues to sink. It started after Teo's loss to Kambosos, but it got worse because of his absence from the competition.
Brian Norman Jr.: Rising Star
Norman is less well-known than Boot, but he is more dangerous with his strength and stamina. Teofimo may be chewed up and spat out by Norman, as this is a much tougher fight against the mentally fragile New Yorker than his fights with George Kambosos Jr., Vasily Lomachenko, Josh Taylor, Jamaine Ortiz, or Sandor Martin.
Norman is better suited to handle the best of the best in a real fight than Teofimo, who has shown himself to be mentally weak in the face of adversity. Top Rank did the right thing by putting Teofimo in a sink or swim situation against Norman.
Brian Norman Jr. holds the interim WBC welterweight title but could soon be promoted to full champion after Terence Crawford was stripped of his promotion to 154.
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